June 27, 2010

July 03, 2007

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The US Department of Defense selected Harris and Thales Communications
Inc. as the two contenders to compete for multi-year deliveries of new
'multi-band radios' to the US armed forces, as part of Joint Tactical
Radio System (JPEO JTRS). The Consolidated, Interim, Single-Channel,
Handheld Radio (CISCHR) award has consolidated all handheld radio
purchases for the U.S. Department of Defense, thus accelerating the
transition and reducing cost of JTRS technology. Thales and Harris,
the two contenders participating in the CISCHR at this stage, will
compete to win future delivery orders, which will ultimately determine
contract value. As further JTRS systems are matured, more participants
are expected to be added to the program.

Representatives of the Israeli and German ministries of defense signed
an agreement to cooperate in the development of new types of loitering
weapons. According to the agreement, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
and the German Rheinmetall Defense company (RDE) will cooperate in the
development of network-centric systems that will provide land forces
with the means for persistent surveillance, targeting and attack of
high value targets by loitering munitions.

BAE Systems BAE Systems has been awarded a US$183 million award for
production of thermal weapon sights. The order is the first award under
a five-year indefinite delivery / indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract
for the supply of up to 3,000 per month. The total potential worth of
the program could reach $1 billion. DRS and Raytheon have also been awarded TWS contracts for thousands of sights.

The Pentagon continues to dispatch MRAP orders to whoever can produce
the huge quantities required to protect the troops in Iraq. BAE
Systems receives contract for 441 additional MRAP vehicles. 425 of the
new vehicles will be 4x4 (Category I) vehicles, the remaining 16 will
be Category II (6x6) configured as ambulances and other support
vehicles. BAE Systems will deliver vehicles based on the RG-33 design,
offering improved survivability and large armor protected volume. The
RG33L MRAP ambulance accommodates several litter and ambulatory
patients via a novel litter lift system. The vehicle also provides
space for a medic work station and key medical equipment. Read more on the recent MRAP contracts in Defense Update.